Outside the sky was overcast. Lately there had been more cloudy days at Avernus than sunny ones, predicting a wet autumn. Phoebe, Julia, and Yuli walked together through the field and into the swamp, until they reached the lake at Avernus' center. During the walk Julia—with some commentary from Yuli—had chattered about some of the odder things she'd seen helping new witches, probably in an attempt to make Phoebe feel more normal.

But Phoebe had mostly stayed quiet. When they all climbed into one of the small boats on the shore of the lake, she continued staring straight ahead. This had been her choice, and she did think she could handle it, but she also worried that any distraction might cause her to change her mind.

When they reached the newly-formed island where the tilted cypress stood, leaning precariously over the water, Julia asked, “Are you still OK with this?”

“I’m sure,” answered Phoebe as she disembarked. Julia and Yuli nodded in unison. It was late morning and the weather in September was hot, but there were still a few hours before the temperature climbed uncomfortably high.

Grass had grown around the upthrusted base of the tree since she’d last come to the island, when she'd stupidly tried to trap Silver before being overcome by her own curiosity. She felt the contents of her backpack shift with every uneven step- when they were getting ready to leave, she'd told Julia that she only needed her phone and a knife, but Julia had amended that plan. Now she was also carrying fishing tackle, mace, and a few flares.

“Here you go, then.” Julia walked back to the boat and pulled out a fishing pole, which she handed to Phoebe. “We’ll be on the shore when you need us.”

04.16.2025
-